Black Friday Tips for Buying a New Cell Phone

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While I prefer to spend the day after Thanksgiving sleeping off my turkey-induced coma, I know that a large number of you will be in stores across the country in search of Black Friday bargains. The last Friday in November is synonymous with sales on everything from home goods to electronics to bathroom accessories. You name it, it's marked down. It's easy to crack under the pressure of having so little time to nab the perfect item when there are so many others around you competing for the same stuff. Shopping for a new phone? It's particularly important to stay calm, cool, and collected in the mayhem as it's a device you'll be interacting with many times each day. Here are my expert tips for picking out the mobile that's best for you.

Smartphone or not? A conventional phone is the way to go if you'll be primarily making calls and sending texts and perhaps want a camera for quick snapshots. If you want to send and receive email, maintain a sophisticated calendar system, surf the Web, access Word docs, and use apps, a smartphone is the way to go.

What type of operating system? If you want to be able to use it out of the box without pouring over a manual, choose an iPhone. If you want a phone that easily coordinates with your PC and other Microsoft products like Xbox, a Windows 7 system like the one on the Samsung Focus is the way to go. Do you maintain a Google calendar, Gmail account, and love Google Search by Voice? You'll want an Android. Depend on your phone for business? You'll probably need a Blackberry that has all of your necessary business applications, with the security controls IT requires.

Who manufactures the phone? If at least once a day your phone winds up on the floor, consider one from HTC which makes solid, well-constructed products. Looking for a phone to show off photos? You'll love the crisp, clear display on a Samsung. On the other hand if you want to add minimal weight to your already overstuffed bag, consider a thin and light Motorola device.

Don't be fooled into thinking you need 4G. Don't pay for it unless your Internet is too slow for you right now - and you live in an area well equipped with 4G. Also, be aware that 4G is not a legally mandated term, so 4G speeds across providers is not consistent.

When it comes to display size, I recommend a phone with a screen that's about 4 inches-- manageable enough to hold in one hand and comfortably place a call yet large enough to see without squinting.

Thick or thin? Slim form factors come at a tradeoff. Larger phones are able to house larger processors and batteries, and allow more room for display space. It's all about finding the balance that's right for you.